bajagrouper - 6-15-2015 at 07:30 AM
So I am reading the fishing regulations and under violations is this sentence:
"It is prohibited to collect shells, corals, anemones and snails as well as disturbing or altering the environment of the ecosystem."
Does this mean picking up empty sea shells on a beach?
woody with a view - 6-15-2015 at 08:52 AM
picking up is pretty close to collecting, wouldn't you say? it's the "disturbing the ecosystem" that has me worried!
Paulina - 6-15-2015 at 09:08 AM
This past April, when crossing into the US from Tecate, I was asked if I had collected any sea shells. I had never been asked this before.
P>*)))>{
sancho - 6-15-2015 at 09:32 AM
That is an interesting ? from US Customs. My understanding is no shell collecting, so get rid of the sand dollar collection. I don't
believe it is there now, but the popular bass type fish Cabrilla
used to be on the no take list, reserved for the Mex commercial
fishermen, and the often quoted no take of clams
gnukid - 6-15-2015 at 09:45 AM
Although I am not reading the Mexican law so can not confirm, from recollection, you may be conflating issues. Fishing from boat regulations state
that extranejeros may not collect shellfish, however, you may enter the water from shore and dive to collect shellfish that you will eat immediately.
You may not collect more than you can eat nor transport to sell. Be aware local regulations may prohibit certain types of collecting within certain
areas that are protected or designated for coop to manage. You may not dive from a boat for shellfish or use a hooka.
Regarding shells, there are issues with living shells, but shells that are not inhabitable, empty or bleached may be gathered, also bones or teeth.
Of course all things are left to interpretation.
[Edited on 6-15-2015 by gnukid]
bajagrouper - 6-15-2015 at 10:14 AM
I decided to call CONAPESCA this morning after posting here and they said it is a violation to pickup empty sea shells from a beach...
Thanks for your reply guys.........
gnukid - 6-15-2015 at 02:03 PM
It is good advice to leave the ecosystem as it, though it seems you may have heard what you wanted to hear as opposed to a clear definition of the
law.
As a foreigner with a sport fishing license you may not disturb the ecosystem of the beach and take away shells that are part of the ecosystem. A
sport fishing license gives you no permission to collect shell based sea life nor transport shellfish.
Though there are many scenarios that do qualify as legal in this manner without a sport fishing license, where you can pickup shells from the sand, or
mountaintop or go free diving from the beach for shellfish and eat the shellfish at the beach and keep the shell etc...
bajagrouper - 6-15-2015 at 02:20 PM
I am not asking about a fishing license, free diving or shellfish.....
I asked about empty shells on a beach, got my answer from CONAPESCA so do not need an essay from u.........
sancho - 6-15-2015 at 02:48 PM
There is no ambiguity regarding Mex sportfishing regs, no hearing what you want to hear. As stated, no collecting crustaceans,
or mollusks, squid excepted, shell collecting is prohibited. Straight
forward the way I read it, NO shell collecting. Enforced? Hardly. I don't see any
wiggle room to interrupt these as one wants. As in
collecting shellfish to consume 'on the beach'.
Doubt if many, including Mex Authorities are aware of these regs. Was a post
a while back re: clamming, someone said it is OK if a Mex
National is among the collecting group, incorrect. Regs apply
to all, although I can't imagine too many Mex fishing licenses
are sold to Mex Nationals
woody with a view - 6-15-2015 at 02:57 PM
just be respectful. when the locals are clamming for a living on a beach we happen to be at we don't crowd them, instead we wait for them to be
finished or go WAY down the beach. nobody cares about a few clams OR SEASHELLS! I know people who have created beautiful crushed shell paths through
their yard. nobody cares!
shari - 6-15-2015 at 07:17 PM
whenever we wan to collect something from the ocean to eat, we look for a local person preferably from a cooperativa or a person "caretaking" an
area..and ask them if it would be OK to collect lunch. They will inform you of the local situation as each area has different regs as to what can be
taken. For example in some areas around here, you cant get mussels or clams as they are for the coops.
Today we came upon a fellow on the beach collecting pismo shells for the little factory here that makes Go game pieces out of them...there is actually
a company that has a permit and pays for the concession on the shell beach so not just anyone can go get shells there for their yards.
Hook - 6-15-2015 at 07:37 PM
Of course, the irony in all this "being respectful" and " leave the ecosystem as it is" is that the Mexicans couldnt give a lick about doing that, and
they have infinitely more effect on the ecosystem than visiting or ex-pat gringos ever could.
There is marlin EVERYWHERE on the menus over here. Not too much dorado though; I think they are becoming really hard to find, outside of peanuts.
Of course, Skeet might disagree...............